An empty office.
Only Snape remained, with a complex expression and a flickering gaze.
...
In the little wizards' classroom.
Ian was dozing off.
Magic History is widely recognized as the dullest course at Hogwarts.
He didn't believe it at first, until Professor Bin used a monotonous and emotionless voice to present the most incredible medical miracle of the twentieth century to him.
Even the Ravenclaw students, who love learning, found it hard to resist this mental hypnotic attack, and over at the Gryffindor table, a large number had already fallen asleep.
Those who could barely manage to record names and dates were almost nonexistent in the classroom, and Ian understood what Dumbledore meant by a grueling battle.
He was only eleven.
Already he felt like he was wasting time and life. Even the sparrows outside the window had stopped chirping; at this moment, the description of feeling like every day lasts a year became a vivid experience.
"Professor, I heard from the seniors that you wanted to get up and give a class early in the morning back then, but accidentally forgot your body in front of the fireplace in the professor's lounge?"
Ian raised his hand during Professor Bin's recess to perk himself up. This was definitely the most absurd reason he had ever heard for becoming a ghost.
"That's right, I was very old at the time." Professor Bin, just like the seniors said, didn't mind others mentioning his death.
But.
The seniors seemed to have forgotten to tell Ian.
"Speaking of this, it's actually a piece of history too, maybe I should tell you all about it…"
Professor Bin got interested, and the recess ended ahead of schedule.
Finally, even Ian couldn't hold out any longer and fell asleep, sleeping soundly. When William shook him awake, Michael seemed to raise a big black palm again.
He still couldn't bring it down, leaving Michael regretful.
"Dinner time."
The three yawned their way to the Great Hall, where the feast was as sumptuous as ever, only the variety hadn't changed much, but at the start of the term, that didn't bother anyone.
"So, what about the letter of introduction?" William was always thinking about joining the group, constantly passing Ian the best food during the meal.
Passionate like fire.
Even the quick-eyed and nimble Michael couldn't beat him to it.
"I'll write it when we get back!"
Ian handed his Magic History homework to William, who naturally and effortlessly put it into his own bag without even asking Ian what he meant.
This kid has potential.
"Oh my god, Prince, I heard you killed the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
"I heard Professor Snape was also killed together!"
"It's hilarious, a first-year wizard taking down an adult wizard solo—no novel or biography I've read would dare write that! I bet this was cooked up by those Gryffindors again!"
...
Back in the common room.
The Ravenclaw little wizards indeed knew about what happened in the morning, however, it was clear that none of them were gullible and simply dismissed it as another bout of nonsense by a particular group.
Thanks to Gryffindor's consistent reputation.
They spared Ian from being ostracized or feared like some comic-book character. Of course, the backing of the two Prefects likely played a significant role here as well.
As the fire in the fireplace began to roar.
Just like he said yesterday, Ian started his little class once again, perhaps due to that standard Boil Potion from the morning; a few second-year wizards even joined in.
"Today, we're not talking about magic potions; once I get some materials, I'll teach you hand-to-hand. If anyone wants to learn, I'll teach some Transformation techniques."
Changing up the teaching content.
Some hesitated and left.
Others joined in with interest.
Ian observed silently.
Without comment.
After collecting the tuition fees from all the little wizards, he began his engaging explanation. Time flew by quickly, and like the previous night, he garnered the gratitude and admiration of the little wizards.
When returning to the dorm after washing up.
Ian noticed William sitting in front of the bed, saying nothing, but simply staring at him with pleading eyes. He quickly understood and hastily wrote the recommendation letter.
Then.
He studied a while longer.
Seeing that both roommates were in a deep sleep, Ian pulled out the box from the Room of Requirement, stuffing it, along with the two boxes of Chocolate Frogs he had gotten today and yesterday, under the covers.
Even though he had already slept a lot in the afternoon, falling asleep was not difficult for Ian. He soon drifted into that peculiar place again in a dazed state.
The night deepened.
Some stories continue.